Snaps From The Hill

Here are a few Snaps from Sundays trip to North Weald, first our trusty transport G-CRUZ Cessna T303 Crusader and the rest of our party. Parking up next to us was G-BVAF Piper J3C-65 Cub, G-ASSS Cessna 172E is a regular at Fly-Ins. On view were G-BYCT L29 Delfin, G-BWSV Yakovlev Yak52 ( a sister aeroplane to Andy Dent's), G-ANIE Auster 5, G-BGHU North American T6G Texan. G-HHEM Agusta AW169 was present. Looking like Cub's were G-MACC Carbon Cub and G-CUBW Wag Aero Cuby. We all enjoyed our trip and the Sausage/Bacon Sandwiches went down a treat with a Coffee.

Time to catch up on the last three days visitors, I have missed a few mainly on Sunday when I only Snapped one as I was visiting North Weald which I will post later. So Sunday I managed G-ATJN Jodel D119, the others were G-KEVB PA28-181 Archer, G-BDSH PA28-140 Cherokee, G-VARG Varga 2150A Kachina, G-CEDE Flight Design CTSW, G-ZANY Diamond DA40Tdi, G-CIOY Beech G36 Bonanza. Monday and G-DLDL Robinson R22 was in and out before I arrived but I did Snap G-TALR Cessna 152 and G-CHAR Grob G109B the only other visitors. Tuesday was cold and felt even colder due to the strength of the wind but I did manage a Snap of sorts for all the visitors. G-BKFC Cessna F152 was an early arrival from Leicester, G-DENC Cessna F150G landed as we were waiting to depart and had gone by the time we returned. Patrick arrived from Dunsfold in G-LGEZ Rutan Long -Ez and we chatted over lunch. Then we have G-JAME Zenair CH601UL, G-IBEN Vans RV7, G-SHUG PA28R-201T Turbo Arrow III and finally G-KEVX Jabiru J400 which made a very brief visit to drop off a pilot and I nearly missed it, hence the poor Snap.

Five visitors for Saturday but I did not Snap early arrival G-CPLH Guimbal Cabri from Leicester, so we start with G-TIMA Vans RV7 and G-OBMS Reims Cessna F172N both from Sherburn in Elmet. G-CIKX Robinson R66 was a diversion due to weather at its intended landing site and last arrival was G-BSLU PA28-140 Cherokee from Halfpenny Green.

Friday and just the one visitor G-LAPL Scheibe SF25C I believe from Bicester.

At last some decent weather and first visitor of 2024 was a British classic from Elstree G-AXJI Beagle B121 Pup 150, first rotary was G-DLDL Robinson R22 from Conington only other rotary today was G-LINY Robinson R44 from Leicester. Making a first visit from Liverpool was recently delivered G-OMTM Cirrus SR22T. From Halfpenny Green was G-BNPO PA28-181 Archer, first Cessna of the day was G-EGCD Cessna 172S, G-BAXZ PA28-140 Cherokee arrived from Turweston and final visitor for Thursday was G-SHSP Cessna 172S from Sleap.

Last visitor to arrive in 2023 on the 29th December was regular G-BRLG PA28RT-201T Turbo Arrow IV, only other visitor that day was G-BZEB Cessna 152 from Leicester with a pilot to collect G-BKFC Reims Cessna F152 after maintenance. The New Year is of to a slow start due to the inclement weather and I have yet to visit the airfield, the 1st saw several residents active and regular visitor G-MUMY Vans RV4 appeared to carry out a few circuits. As soon as the weather improves normal service will be resumed and I will post Snaps for everyone to enjoy.

The run up to Christmas was very slow with just three visitors that I am aware of, G-BKFC Reims Cessna F152 arrived Wednesday and is still present, not Snapped on Thursday was G-FRYA Robinson R44, and Fridays visitor was G-GOES Robinson R44 and that is it except to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

No visitors Monday but Tuesday we had two G-ECET Cessna T182T Turbo Skylane and regular G-MUMY Vans RV4.

Busy weekend at the airfield with plenty of flying Saturday and ESFC Christmas Fuddle on Sunday. There were six visitors on Saturday but I only Snapped one G-BFTC PA28R-201T Turbo Arrow III from Leeds East. Unsnapped were G-MUMY Vans RV4, G-CGEZ Raj Hamsa X Air, G-AJKB Luscombe 8E, G-BSLU PA28-140 Cherokee and G-DPRV Vans RV7A. I had flown over to Sleap with Stephen in G-CRUZ Cessna T303 Crusader, only other aircraft Snapped was G-BXYT PA28RT-201 Arrow IV. I end with four Snaps of Saturdays sunset and seasons greetings courtesy of Hilary Disney.

Friday was slightly busier with two visitors, both arrived in the morning. First to arrive was G-ATJN Jodel D119 from Wickenby and brightening up a rather dull morning was G-APIE Tipsy Belfair which attracted quite a few admiring glances.

Another slow week, no visitors Tuesday, Wednesday produced G-PAAL PA32-301FT 6X and Thursdays G-HSOO Hughes 369E was unsnapped as it landed at the western end of the airfield for just a few minutes and I was eating cake in the Cafe.

Last week was pretty quiet and my visits did not coincide with the visitors, Wednesday saw G-BKCE Reims Cessna F172P bring pilots to collect two of Leicester's aircraft, G-RBRI Robinson R44 and G-BSYV Cessna 150M were the other visitors. Sundays sole visitor was G-SNDZ Cirrus SR22. Monday and at last my visit coincides with some visitors and a bit of sunshine, first in was G-BONO Cessna F172N I think from a farm strip, G-CMFG Vans RV12 one of the less regular Vans types to visit, G-FXBA Aeroprakt A22 Foxbat, G-CMCF Reims Cessna F182Q and lastly G-BBPP PA28-180 Cherokee. Hopefully this week will produce a few more Snaps.

Yesterday was a decent flying day but I had other things to do and unfortunately today is again a non flying day (unless you are in a RYANAIR Boeing training at East Midlands which I hear as it passes overhead). So you have the second and final part from my visit to Halfpenny Green on 25th November. G-ENTT Reims Cessna F152, G-BNSZ PA28-161 Warrior, G-CHST Vans RV9A, GBNPO PA28-181 Archer, G-AWFZ Beech 23-19A Musketeer Sport, G-EOLD PA28-161 Warrior, G-BNZB PA28-161 Warrior and reminding me of my youth when I would watch aircraft in the circuit at White Waltham. G-ARNJ PA22-108 C**t.

No visitors Monday or Tuesday so here are a few Snaps from Halfpenny Green on the 25th November, G-FTIL Robin DR400/180 was one of three visiting. Lots of light sports types present, G-CCKG Sky Ranger, G-IBAZ Comco Ikarus C42, G-JDRD Alpi Pioneer 300, G-OKPS Sky Ranger Nynja. More expensive piece of machinery was G-FPRD Cirrus SR22 and final Snap for this Post G-CIEE Comco Ikarus C42. Will post part two tomorrow.

Catching up on a weather impacted week, did not visit Wednesday, Saturday or today. Thursday saw two visitors G-BHEV PA28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II and unfortunately a poor Snap of G-BCSL DHC1 Chipmunk which did a few circuits but never parked up. Friday was slightly busier, G-BHEN Reims Cessna FA152 Aerobat had arrived Wednesday for maintenance, G-BXLN Fournier RF4D arrived from Sleap and a pair of Eurofox completed the visitors G-RJMC Eurofox 2K and G-CILA Eurofox 912. The coming week is not looking particularly promising but you never know what might turn up.

What a difference a day makes, cold but lots of blue sky and a dozen visitors. Already present when I arrived was G-PDBY Enstrom 480 for fuel, shortly after one of my favourite aircraft arrived G-VROE Avro Anson T21 from Sleap and not far behind G-WOOD Beech 55 Baron from Alderney. Making I believe its first visit to the Hill was G-SLZT Sling 2, then a few were unsnapped as I went for a navex around Yorkshire with Simon in his RV8 which I enjoyed. G-OWST Cessna 172S landed as we waited to depart and regular G-MUMY Vans RV4 came in for fuel and G-TOOO Guimbal Cabri was just departing to Gamston as we joined the circuit on our return. I did get four more Snaps after our return G-BHVR Cessna 172N, G-CGDI EV97 Eurostar making its way back from Halfpenny Green to Netherthorpe, G-BAZS Reims Cessna F150L and G-CETB Robin DR400/180, last visitor which parked down by the windsock so was unsnapped G-BWNY Aeromot AMT200 ( its a motorglider with a large wingspan).

Sunday produced one road visitor accompanied by Santa and his helpers. This static exhibit is marked as G-EOFF which was allocated to a Taylor Titch cancelled from the Register in 2010, in reality it is the former N568TJ MBB BK117 and last operated by Mercyflight out of Buffalo NY State. This example was built in 1986 since which the type has evolved and become more commonly known as the Eurocopter EC145 an example G-RMAA visited on Saturday. At no time was N568TJ powered by Reindeer on Sunday.

A few from yesterday. Firstly, the team heading out to Wolverhampton in G-BMFP. Then: G-RVAN RV-6, G-FLIP Reims-Cessna FA152 Aerobat (nearly missed this one as you can see), G-CBEF Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1, G-ZECH CZAW SportCruiser and
G-BGPJ PA-28-161 Warrior II. I missed a photo of regular visitor G-CEGO EV-97A Eurostar.

It was great to see G-BBKL Piel CP301A Emeraude and G-WULF War Aircraft Replicas Focke-Wulf Fw190 making the most of the gorgeous weather.

Finally a different angle of G-RMAA Airbus Helicopters H145 departing after a short visit.

Have a great Sunday.

Fridays only visitor was G-TALR Cessna 152, captured late afternoon returning from an engine run prior to its return to Leicester. Saturday was cold but plenty of flying going on, early arrivals were G-ROMT Robinson R44 for fuel and food, G-DSKI EV97 Eurostar was one of several visitors that did local flights before departing. Vans models were well represented G-UKRV RV7A, G-MURG RV6. with G-RMAA Eurocopter EC145 arriving before G-RVAN RV6 the last of the days Vans this was Snapped as we departed to Halfpenny Green and I am sure Ian Johnson got a better one he will share. While preparing for the trip G-CFLM Pegasus Quik arrived . During my absence known to have visited were G-FLIP Reims Cessna FA152 Aerobat and G-ZECH CZAW Sportcruiser and I just managed a shot of G-BGPJ PA28-161 Warrior departing to Woodvale as we pulled on to the fuel pumps on our return.

Three Snaps for Thursday, with 2-FFLY Cirrus SR22T arriving from Southend slightly before I got to the Hill. Shortly after I arrived we had a visit from another Shawbury helicopter ZM522 Eurocopter EC135 Juno which hovered for ten minutes or so. Also arriving today was G-BFMK Reims Cessna FA152 Aerobat for some attention and shortly after I departed G-LINY Robinson R44 arrived which I may be able to Snap tomorrow morning.

I did not visit Tuesday but there were two visitors G-0PRC Europa XS from Sherburn in Elmet and G-BBEO Reims Cessna FRA150L Aerobat from Gamston, hopefully Snap them next time they visit. Wednesday I started by taking Snaps of the Buccaneer XX900 which has returned to the North side looking very smart after its repaint. Remaining with the military theme ZM512 Eurocopter EC135 Juno made two low passes up R/W 26 during the day. Only visitor to land was G-CTNG Cirrus SR20 from Sleap and final Snap is G-INGS Bellanca 8KCAB Super Decathlon carrying out an engine run having arrived for maintenance earlier in the month when I was absent.

The weather continues to be unsettled and as a result flying has been somewhat limited as have my visits to the airfield. Just the one Snap covering the weekend and Monday when I snapped G-BKFC Reims Cessna F152 from Leicester. Only other activity of note was on Saturday when N11JJ Cessna P210N Pressurised Centurion arrived from Coventry but by Sunday when I visited it was tucked up in the hangar, hopefully I will get a Snap prior to its departure in a couple of weeks.

No visit on Thursday but the weather was not conducive to flying anyway, Friday was much better and so half a dozen of us enjoyed our walk before returning to the Squadron Office for tea and cake. Visiting aircraft started with two Vans G-RVPW RV6A and G-DSRV RV7 both made two visits during the day. Smartly painted G-BOVK PA28-161 Warrior arrived from Leeds East just after G-BWND Cessna 152 from Wellesbourne. Making its first visit from Fairoaks was G-CCBH PA28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder, many thanks to the pilot who enabled an uncluttered Snap prior to putting the cover on. It is expected to depart Monday but will probably be visiting several times a year as it replaces G-CBHA Socata TB10 which used to visit from Redhill. Final visitor for Friday was G-CEDE Flight Design CTSW which looked great in the late afternoon light.

Tuesday was a rotary day but I only managed one Snap G-TRDS Guimbal Cabri from Leicester, in and out before I arrived were I believe G-MAOL Agusta AW109SP Grand New and G-DLDL Robinson R22. Wednesday turned out to be PA28 day with four examples visiting, regular G-BRLG PA28RT-201T Turbo Arrow IV, from Gloucester G-BBXW PA28-151 Warrior and G-BASJ PA28-180 Cherokee and lastly G-BAHS PA28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II from Sywell of which you get two Snaps.

Glad you are feeling better, Adrian. A few from a glorious Saturday afternoon (I missed a few in the morning). G-TOOO Cabri G2, G-BRLG Pa-28RT-201T G-BRLG and G-BYDV Vans RV-6.

Well after a break due to being under the weather (cough and cold) I returned to the Hill today expecting no visitors. So was pleasantly surprised when G-OSUS Mooney M20K arrived from Andrewsfield. The other two Snaps are from Friday and are provided by Ian Glithero, G-CCIR Vans RV8 from Sleap and G-IANH Socata TB10 Tobago from Welshpool which arrived Thursday and is still present.

Friday and we managed to get our walk in despite a few detours around larger puddles. In and out before I arrived was G-IWAW Robinson R66 for fuel, fortunately it was not the only visitor with G-KLNH Agusta AW109SP Grand New arriving to pick up a passenger. Nice surprise was the return of resident G-AVMA Gardan GY80-180 Horizon, it has been away for over a year. Saturday was a complete washout, so I stayed at home.

Well this week has been slow but in view of the weather not surprising, Tuesday saw the arrival of G-BHEN Reims Cessna FA152 Aerobat for a little bit of maintenance, it departed midday Thursday ahead of the torrential rain that has since arrived. Wednesday there were no visitors, Thursday I assume there was at least one bringing the pilot to collect G-BHEN but as I was staying at home no idea which aircraft was involved.

Looks like this week is going to be unsettled weather, but I managed two Snaps to start the week G-FOXA PA28-161 Warrior was already present when I arrived and shortly after G-KARL Guimbal Cabri arrived. After I left I believe G-TALR Cessna 152 collected the pilot of G-FOXA.

Well Sunday did turn out to be a better day for visitors, first to arrive was G-BAKJ PA30-160B Twin Comanche which made two visits. Next up was G-BTGZ PA28-181 Archer and not far behind was G-FICS Flight Design CTSW later it provided a convenient perch for a Kestrel. Also making two visits during the day was G-RKID Vans RV6A. Only Cessna was G-PHUN Reims Cessna FRA150L Aerobat and final visitor of the day was G-BNOH PA28-161 Warrior of Sherburn Aero Club.